VRS Handbook for Members - Virginia Retirement System

Sick, Family and Personal Leave
Sick Leave
What is Career State
Service? – Career state
service includes full-time and
part-time salaried state service
and absences for military
leave, layoffs, temporary
workforce reductions or
periods of reduced hours or job
restrictions while on short-term
or long-term disability.
On January 10 of each year, you receive sick leave to use throughout the year
for personal illness, injury, pregnancy or visits with licensed treating healthcare
professionals. Your total months of career state service and full-time or part-time
status determine how much sick leave you receive, as shown in the following table:
Annual Sick Leave Amounts for Eligible Salaried State Employees
Effective January 10 Each Year
Months of Career State Service
If you are full time, you receive...
Fewer than 60
64 hours
60-119 72 hours
120 or more 80 hours
Months of Career State Service If you are part time, you receive...
Fewer than 120
32 hours
120 or more 40 hours
If you need to be absent from work for an illness or injury of an immediate family
member, you may use up to 33 percent of your sick leave as provided under
Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) policy on the Family and
Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Immediate family members include a spouse, parents,
children or stepchildren under age 18, or children or stepchildren over age 18 who
cannot take care of themselves because of a severe physical or cognitive disability. If
you are employed in a nine-, 10- or 11-month position, you cannot use sick leave or
family and personal leave during the month(s) you are not scheduled to work.
34 | www.varetire.org • 1-888-VARETIR (1-888-827-3847) Plan 1
About Leave Allotments
You receive one allotment each of sick leave and family and personal leave to use throughout
the calendar year. You cannot carry over unused sick, family or personal leave from year
to year or be paid for unused sick leave when you retire. For more information about leave
allotments when you are hired, refer to the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program Handbook
for State Employees available at www.varetire.org.
Family and Personal Leave
On January 10 of each year, you receive family and personal leave in addition
to sick leave. You may use this leave for any family or personal reason, including
illness or injury. Your total months of career state service determine how much
family and personal leave you receive, as shown in the following table: